I looked after a friend's dog and cat as a favour and on return they have given me money

[Dameputtingonabraveface]

Just this really. A newish friend has a quite needy rescue dog (does not cope with doggy day care, kennels or walks, needs booking into a dog park). As a result, she and her husband do not really go away together unless a close family member can have the dog. They recently all went away as a family and I agreed to stay and spent lots of time visiting in the weeks leading up so dog in question knew me.

I stayed at their house for 2 weeks, went to work in the day (dog used to this, and I went back for lunch as office just 10 mins away). Before work I would go back to mine to feed and spend time with my cats (I foster and also have adopted too many) and do the same on the way home. I went home for a couple of hours about 3 times to spend some time with them and also spent a bit of time at the weekends.

My friend came home last night and when I took the keys back today, they gave me a Thank You card with £200 in! This just seems too much and makes me feel quite awkward. When I messaged them this, they told me they appreciated that I 'looked after their babies' but I was just helping out as a friend! We both just work in the public sector and she is on a lower grade than me (although has a husband so dual income).

It feels weird accepting this and I wondered what other people think?

She recognises just how much you have put yourself out. She wanted to show her appreciation and may have worried about what would be an appropriate level of “compensation” for your time and effort.

Just be very appreciative and tell her you would happily do it again for no payment (if you would). Or give her a clue for the future, “just being me a bottle of wine/chocolate/buy me a facial”

@RandomMess, I miss fostering kittens, but part of the reason I have too many cats is that I ended up taking in the ferals, some of whom have become permanent. I go away too frequently at the moment to take in kitten fosters at the moment. I have a few older cats who seem not to be going anywhere!

It would have cost them much more to put the pets in a kennel and cattery or to hire a pet sitter formally. Enjoy the gift!

I always pay people including friends and neighbours when they look after my animals. Do not feel awkward - here is why I pay (even when it’s not expected!)
it’s so hard to find good care for them, I am
absolutley happy to pay for someone’s efforts. If I could find a ‘professional’ who I was really comfortable with and though was excellent, I’d pay a huge sum of money for them to be well cared for. £200 for this is nothing!!!! Especially if it’s rescue dogs who cannot go into kennels because it is so traumatic for them. Just accept the money; say thanks and you weren’t expecting payment! You could always take your friend for lunch with it and say you weren’t expecting it etc. But I would say honestly she is very very very grateful and wants to thank you. She’d be prepared to pay a professional service but you’ve offered and she felt it would be better for her dog so she is grateful to you. You’re a lovely friend!!! Xox

You are a lovely person OP. And your friend is lovely too. I’m glad you’ve found each other, and your cats are very lucky to have you too 😻

Just accept the money and thank them for it. It’s really kind of them not to take you for granted.

You took on a massive commitment - the two weeks as full time as they would have been plus the making sure the dog knew you beforehand

It is a big responsibility caring solely for someone's dog. They couldn't have asked a regular dog sitters , and the dog sitters I know (vet students) who move into people's houses charge £40 a day.

£100 a week is an absolute bargain , and they don't want to take you for granted so that they can ask you again next year!

Accept without a backwards thought!

It sounds like a wonderful appreciative friend 😍

A friend of mine did me a huge childcare favour when I was left high and dry. I gave her a very generous gift because I was hugely grateful. She said I didn't need to but I wanted to.

Her dog will mean a lot to her and your care will mean a lot to her. If she can afford it that's how thankful she is. Take is graciously and enjoy it 😁

@RandomMess, my boys who were foster fails that I adopted. Both born outside and absolute ferals who no body wanted. Our big black panther grew to be weigh 15lbs and is the biggest softie and our little stripey boy (who took months to tame, the vets had never seen anxiety like it when we managed to trap him for neuter) who adores his big friend.

Lovely, totally normal, and if you're uncomfortable with it just use it for a day out with her, dinner etc.

You saved them money and they came home to a happy dog. Buy yourself something lovely.

I think you saved her much more than £200 and gave her peace of mind.

That was a kind thoughtful and appropriate gift.

Id say, you really didnt need to give me this but I appreciate that you have. Thank you so much.

You both sound like lovely people

Some thing like. You really shouldn't have but thank you! I have bought myself xxx and made a charity donation to xx which I know we both adore?

I agree.

Thanks all. I do understand that kennels etc cost a lot more but I do not expect to be paid by friends for doing them a favour. I have made it clear I am available again if not away and do not expect any payment, just happy to help. I am putting in a big order with zooplus for my cats and foster cats and will add their dog food etc if they will not take the money back.

Last time I looked after a friend's pet (also for 2 weeks) I got nothing, and they didn't leave enough food so I had to go and buy more, which they never paid me back for.

I would much rather have a friend like yours!

It’s lovely of them to do it willingly but really you deserve every penny. As an owner of a reactive dog that finds it hard to get away and find suitable care, people like you are worth your weight in gold. I would love to have a friend like you OP! Enjoy the money and don’t feel guilty x

I have actually said this to someone who did me a huge favour. They didn't want to take anything for doing it so I said "please take it because if you don't I can't ask you again."

It’s a token for two weeks I pay over 1K for kennels for 2 weeks for my dogs. You’ve done them a big favour and they’re grateful. Don’t think more of it. They are lucky to have you.

This is so lovely of you to even contemplate doing o wish I had a friend like you! Accept it gracefully and make sure you do something for you with it x

She will be absolutely thrilled that they had someone they could trust and got an utter bargain that would have cost them much more than that for professionals. A win for both of you, treat yourself with the money.

Absolutely this too.

Just accept it with a gracious smile. It’s cheaper and less stressful than putting the dog in kennels.

You’re lovely but it isn’t too much and you should accept it. Just for perspective, we’ve just paid £200 to put our cats and dogs in the kennels/cattery for 3 nights. You’re happy, they’re happy - take the money.

This happened to me but I was the one offering the money. They didn’t take it, but I wished they had. I’d say take it, two weeks is a big commitment when you have your own pets to look after too. You deserve a treat.